I was slightly annoyed by this novel...
First, because it is a sequel, and I didn't realize it. The entire time I was thinking, "I should know the back story. Should I stop and read the other book first?" However, I was listening to it on CD, so I really didn't want to stop, nor did I know if the library even had the first book.
Second, it is Christian fiction, and the Christian themes weren't fully developed. I was waiting for a wonderful, philosophical, spiritually re-energizing message. I was disappointed. Maybe I missed it because I was listening in the car in broken chunks. However, the main character supposedly found his powers because of his belief in God, but the book doesn't adequately show how this transformation happened, completely skipping any of the compelling thoughts that go along with a theological shift. The best spiritual message came in the form of explaining that Christians get comfortable in the world, and when they suddenly realize that they don't fit in with the pattern of the world, they would rather stick with their new behaviors than to be thought of as freaks. Now that I write that, I'm not sure if I completely agree with the idea that Christians are meant to be opposed to the world...weren't we all created for it? I guess I'll take it for what it is worth...sometimes Christians can't fit in...and sometimes Christians get persecuted. In any case, I didn't feel like my faith benefited from this read - I'm willing to say this is more my fault than the author's, though.
Finally, I listened to it on CD. The actor who read the novel did a TERRIFIC job with all of the voices; however, some of the general scenes didn't pack as much punch as the author might have intended. I kept trying to decide if I would have found the story more captivating if I was reading it in my head.
So, it was okay. I might go back and read the first book in the series...just because I feel like I need to know the back story. We'll see. For now, I'm going to be listening to an Agatha Christie mystery in my car.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Madeleine L'Engle and Connectedness
I've had this blog idea for quite some time now, and I'm finally taking the time to write it down.
"'We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.' That's how it is with human beings and mitochondria and farandolae--and our planet, too, I guess, and the whole solar system. We have to live together in---in harmony, or we won't live at all." - Meg Murry in A Wind in the Door
"'So if we blow up our planet it would certainly have some small effect on our solar system, and that could affect our galaxy, and that could....'
"'The whole chain-reaction theory?' Sandy asked.
"'More than that. Interdependence. Not just one thing leading to another in a straight line, but everything and everyone everywhere interreacting.'"
- Conversation between Meg and her brother Sandy in A Swiftly Tilting Planet
L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet is easily my favorite of her Time Trilogy (or Pentogy? Quintogy? Series?) STP is also similar in theme to the second book in the series, A Wind in the Door. This theme has been following me around lately, and I've been working towards connecting the dots. In both STP and WD, a small person or event has astronomical impacts. The novels emphasize the importance of caring for ourselves and others, not just for our own sake's but for the sake of the universe.
A few weeks ago in church, our pastor referenced a book in which a social researcher explored what made societies unhealthy (in the areas of physical illness, mental illness, crime rates, poverty rates, and more). The researcher concluded that the countries that were MOST unhealthy (the USA was the 2nd runner up for the Unhealthiest Nation Award - big shocker) were the countries that had the greatest disparity between the rich and the poor. And it wasn't just entire countries; states, cities, regions showed similar tendencies. The places in the US with the least economic disparity were healthier than those with the most. And it wasn't just the poor that demonstrated the symptoms of an unhealthy culture. The wealthier classes had higher rates of depression, mental illness, anxiety, heart disease, cancer...
The researcher determined that the best way to create a healthy nation is to close the socioeconomic gap. It seems like an impossible task. Maybe the first step is to see the problem, rather than bury our heads in our same-class neighborhoods and schools and jobs. Now, I don't think this is intentional for most of us, but our culture has pushed us here. It may be time to push back.
On all sides, I'm seeing the power of interconnectedness...and the responsibility of it. Now what to do?
"'We must all hang together, or assuredly we will all hang separately.' That's how it is with human beings and mitochondria and farandolae--and our planet, too, I guess, and the whole solar system. We have to live together in---in harmony, or we won't live at all." - Meg Murry in A Wind in the Door
"'So if we blow up our planet it would certainly have some small effect on our solar system, and that could affect our galaxy, and that could....'
"'The whole chain-reaction theory?' Sandy asked.
"'More than that. Interdependence. Not just one thing leading to another in a straight line, but everything and everyone everywhere interreacting.'"
- Conversation between Meg and her brother Sandy in A Swiftly Tilting Planet
L'Engle's A Swiftly Tilting Planet is easily my favorite of her Time Trilogy (or Pentogy? Quintogy? Series?) STP is also similar in theme to the second book in the series, A Wind in the Door. This theme has been following me around lately, and I've been working towards connecting the dots. In both STP and WD, a small person or event has astronomical impacts. The novels emphasize the importance of caring for ourselves and others, not just for our own sake's but for the sake of the universe.
A few weeks ago in church, our pastor referenced a book in which a social researcher explored what made societies unhealthy (in the areas of physical illness, mental illness, crime rates, poverty rates, and more). The researcher concluded that the countries that were MOST unhealthy (the USA was the 2nd runner up for the Unhealthiest Nation Award - big shocker) were the countries that had the greatest disparity between the rich and the poor. And it wasn't just entire countries; states, cities, regions showed similar tendencies. The places in the US with the least economic disparity were healthier than those with the most. And it wasn't just the poor that demonstrated the symptoms of an unhealthy culture. The wealthier classes had higher rates of depression, mental illness, anxiety, heart disease, cancer...
The researcher determined that the best way to create a healthy nation is to close the socioeconomic gap. It seems like an impossible task. Maybe the first step is to see the problem, rather than bury our heads in our same-class neighborhoods and schools and jobs. Now, I don't think this is intentional for most of us, but our culture has pushed us here. It may be time to push back.
On all sides, I'm seeing the power of interconnectedness...and the responsibility of it. Now what to do?
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Veronica Roth's debut novel is fluid and engaging. The plot moved swiftly and effortlessly through each climactic moment. I read this book because I heard that it was better than Hunger Games, and although I can praise Roth for her story-telling abilities, I did not find its themes as personally relevant as the themes in Hunger Games. I was also slightly annoyed at the use of commas before subordinating conjunctions in the middle of sentences (maybe grammar is changing again?); however, as I entered the storyline, I no longer read them as disjointed parts of the sentence and simply enjoyed the plot.
By the way, Veronica Roth is only 23 years old! I'm hoping that some of my promising creative writing students are published by that age!
By the way, Veronica Roth is only 23 years old! I'm hoping that some of my promising creative writing students are published by that age!
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Rebel Angels by Gemma Doyle
I thoroughly enjoyed this second book in the Gemma Doyle trilogy and can't wait to read the third over the next trimester. At 2am last night, while I was sitting rigid in bed reading particularly intense scene, the toilet decided to gurgle to life. I jumped six inches and had to turn to face the bathroom door, but I couldn't stop reading! Outstanding suspense, plot twists, and character development.
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Many Waters by Madeleine L'Engle
After The Swiftly Tilting Planet, I had high expectations for this next book in the L'Engle Space and Time series. Unfortunately, I found this book rather tedious to get through. The premise is that Meg Murry's twin brothers accidentally walk into their father's science experiment and find themselves in Biblical times...like pre-history Biblical times. I didn't love the plot, although how she explains those mysterious Nephtilum of the Bible is quite interesting. It also felt like she reverted back to a 4th grade reading level with simple sentences and common word choice, something I felt TSTP had moved away from, much to my pleasure. Also, L'Engle seemed to be trying something new with fragments, and it just didn't work for me. I found myself just trying to get to the end to see if my effort would be payed off with an excellent thematic twist or revelation. No. Sad.
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A Wrinkle in Time, Wrinkling Me Back in Time
For the past several years, I have seen two sequels to A Wrinkle in Time in my mother-in-law's book cabinet. Repeatedly, I have commented that I should borrow them, and finally, for my birthday, my in-laws decided to remedy this by buying me the four - yes, FOUR - sequels to A Wrinkle in Time. Who even knew there were four sequels?
For the past week, I entered back into the world of A Wrinkle in Time. Since I had read this novel a few times, I decided to read all of the accompanying materials to add depth to my understanding of the novel.
After reading the brief introduction, I realized that many of the novels and short stories that I have enjoyed over the years revolve around themes prevalent in the Post-World War II Era.
One of the central themes at this time was the resistance of creating complete sameness in the name of equality. This theme can be found in A Wrinkle of Time, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, 1984, "Harrison Bergeron," and even slightly in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy.
Until I read the introduction, I failed to notice this commonality, and I wondered why this theme was so dominant during this time period. After learning about Vietnam background information for "On the Rainy River" by Tim O'Brien, I'm guessing this theme is a push-back against Communism. How could I have never made that connection before?
In 2011, concepts like personal learning styles, personality inventories, and differentiated instruction make the fight for individuality seem a bit unnecessary; however, I still love these stories. Maybe the importance of understanding one's unique role in the world is a timeless theme...at least in Western cultures. Maybe my lies in an interest to cultivate student potentials rather than squash them in normalcy. Or, maybe I just enjoy Science Fiction, and this literature was influential, thus recommended, by the generation before mine.
In any case, I'm looking forward to reading the remainder of the series and enjoying my Post World War II literary themes.
For the past week, I entered back into the world of A Wrinkle in Time. Since I had read this novel a few times, I decided to read all of the accompanying materials to add depth to my understanding of the novel.
After reading the brief introduction, I realized that many of the novels and short stories that I have enjoyed over the years revolve around themes prevalent in the Post-World War II Era.
One of the central themes at this time was the resistance of creating complete sameness in the name of equality. This theme can be found in A Wrinkle of Time, Fahrenheit 451, Brave New World, 1984, "Harrison Bergeron," and even slightly in C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy.
Until I read the introduction, I failed to notice this commonality, and I wondered why this theme was so dominant during this time period. After learning about Vietnam background information for "On the Rainy River" by Tim O'Brien, I'm guessing this theme is a push-back against Communism. How could I have never made that connection before?
In 2011, concepts like personal learning styles, personality inventories, and differentiated instruction make the fight for individuality seem a bit unnecessary; however, I still love these stories. Maybe the importance of understanding one's unique role in the world is a timeless theme...at least in Western cultures. Maybe my lies in an interest to cultivate student potentials rather than squash them in normalcy. Or, maybe I just enjoy Science Fiction, and this literature was influential, thus recommended, by the generation before mine.
In any case, I'm looking forward to reading the remainder of the series and enjoying my Post World War II literary themes.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Lord of the Flies and 9/11
I started Lord of the Flies at the beginning of the summer, thinking I'd get a good, solid academic read in before I started with the lighter fare for the summer. Well, I got two chapters in and could tell where it was headed...kids killing kids...and I stopped for a few months.
I picked it up again this weekend and quickly devoured the remainder of the book. It was depressing, but I had the urge to write a literary analysis paper on its use of the Freudian id.
The id is the part of the human psyche that is responsible for pleasure and survival...it wants gratification NOW. In the novel, this element of humanity is responsible for the destruction of innocence, even in a group of well-educated English youth.
While I completely understand the destructive nature of the id, all of the parts of psyche have the potential for good and evil. Without the id, the characters may lose the will to survive in the first place. If the super ego had mastered them, an irrational necessity and anxiety for order could have caused similar catastrophes. So, stop giving the id such a hard time, William Golding.
On a semi-related note, I watched a 9/11 documentary last night, which left me grieving the loss of so many lives in such a horrendous manner. A sentiment from Golding came back to me: The children are saved by the adults at the end of Lord of the Flies, but who will save man from himself? Indeed, humanity has the potential for great good and for great harm. I am thankful that the good often wins out, and we are not utterly hopeless.
I picked it up again this weekend and quickly devoured the remainder of the book. It was depressing, but I had the urge to write a literary analysis paper on its use of the Freudian id.
The id is the part of the human psyche that is responsible for pleasure and survival...it wants gratification NOW. In the novel, this element of humanity is responsible for the destruction of innocence, even in a group of well-educated English youth.
While I completely understand the destructive nature of the id, all of the parts of psyche have the potential for good and evil. Without the id, the characters may lose the will to survive in the first place. If the super ego had mastered them, an irrational necessity and anxiety for order could have caused similar catastrophes. So, stop giving the id such a hard time, William Golding.
On a semi-related note, I watched a 9/11 documentary last night, which left me grieving the loss of so many lives in such a horrendous manner. A sentiment from Golding came back to me: The children are saved by the adults at the end of Lord of the Flies, but who will save man from himself? Indeed, humanity has the potential for great good and for great harm. I am thankful that the good often wins out, and we are not utterly hopeless.
Monday, September 5, 2011
Grandpa's Memories
My grandpa's funeral was this weekend. He had been struggling with cancer for the past year and had proclaimed that he had lived a good life and was ready for God to take him home. For me, his death was met with a mixture of relief, peace, and a pinch of sadness.
Yesterday, I received a typed transcript of a memory book that my grandpa had filled out a few years ago.
From a psychological perspective, it was a fascinating read. I saw the story of a boy who struggled with understanding his role in his family but learned how to gain respect in a children's home. He became a man who struggled with understanding his role in his family but learned how to gain respect in his career field. He felt strongly for those who were underprivileged and worked towards helping them realize their potentials. However, he didn't seem to quite know what to do with his own children, who were privileged and who had the resources to accomplish their dreams.
To his credit, all of his children have been successful. All of his grandchildren have been successful. He and my grandmother have created a culture that valued hard work, education, and humanitarian efforts. We learned our lessons, but we never quite felt the warmth my grandfather shared with the students he taught, coached, and championed.
Nevertheless, I am thankful for what he brought to our family. With the help of others, he pushed himself past his circumstances, and he wanted to be that support to others. His childhood defense mechanisms may have led him to believe that what is the best for him is what is best for everyone. However, he leaves behind a legacy of caring for those in need and helping others work towards their potential.
Yesterday, I received a typed transcript of a memory book that my grandpa had filled out a few years ago.
From a psychological perspective, it was a fascinating read. I saw the story of a boy who struggled with understanding his role in his family but learned how to gain respect in a children's home. He became a man who struggled with understanding his role in his family but learned how to gain respect in his career field. He felt strongly for those who were underprivileged and worked towards helping them realize their potentials. However, he didn't seem to quite know what to do with his own children, who were privileged and who had the resources to accomplish their dreams.
To his credit, all of his children have been successful. All of his grandchildren have been successful. He and my grandmother have created a culture that valued hard work, education, and humanitarian efforts. We learned our lessons, but we never quite felt the warmth my grandfather shared with the students he taught, coached, and championed.
Nevertheless, I am thankful for what he brought to our family. With the help of others, he pushed himself past his circumstances, and he wanted to be that support to others. His childhood defense mechanisms may have led him to believe that what is the best for him is what is best for everyone. However, he leaves behind a legacy of caring for those in need and helping others work towards their potential.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Proverbs for School Counseling
I just finished The Help, and it was great, but I'll write more on that later.
Today, I'd like to talk about a few proverbs that I can use in my school counseling practice. This morning, I read Proverbs 26 (the proverb of the day), and as I was reading, I kept making connections to a few counseling issues I had with students last year. I wish I would have had these proverbs in my arsenal to help the students think and deal with their situations.
1. "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."
I wish that I could post this in the Freshman Learning Center. So many arguments could have been resolved MUCH sooner if it wasn't for the incessant gossip that I heard in the freshman class. (Don't think you aren't guilty of it youselves, Upper Classmen. I heard you doing it too.)
2. "As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."
I had two students this past year that were like wood to each other's fire. I would have liked to have used this metaphor to help them think of ways NOT to be wood or charcoal in the future. I think it would have helped them to think, "Am I being wood or am I being a bucket of water in this situation?" I'll have to use it in the future.
Of course, I can't tell kids that these are proverbs from the Bible, but I can still use their wisdom and their words to help kids think about how they are responding and how they'll respond in the future.
Today, I'd like to talk about a few proverbs that I can use in my school counseling practice. This morning, I read Proverbs 26 (the proverb of the day), and as I was reading, I kept making connections to a few counseling issues I had with students last year. I wish I would have had these proverbs in my arsenal to help the students think and deal with their situations.
1. "Without wood a fire goes out; without gossip a quarrel dies down."
I wish that I could post this in the Freshman Learning Center. So many arguments could have been resolved MUCH sooner if it wasn't for the incessant gossip that I heard in the freshman class. (Don't think you aren't guilty of it youselves, Upper Classmen. I heard you doing it too.)
2. "As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."
I had two students this past year that were like wood to each other's fire. I would have liked to have used this metaphor to help them think of ways NOT to be wood or charcoal in the future. I think it would have helped them to think, "Am I being wood or am I being a bucket of water in this situation?" I'll have to use it in the future.
Of course, I can't tell kids that these are proverbs from the Bible, but I can still use their wisdom and their words to help kids think about how they are responding and how they'll respond in the future.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Thirteen Reasons Why
I finished Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher last week. As I read, I could think of several girls in my school who have been the victims of rumors, rumors that were hurtful and degrading. They could certainly resonate with this book. However, rather than recommend this book to them, I feel the slight need to force-feed it to the rumor-mongers who started or spread these tales.
In case you don't know anything about the book, it is a suspense novel chronicling thirteen events that led up to Hannah Baker's suicide. These events mainly revolve around rumors and incidents that created a false reputation for an innocent girl.
This past year at my high school, it seemed to be all the rage to spread rumors about pregnancy, sex acts, and fights. As this book makes its rounds, I hope that students begin to consider how their words affect others. It also reminded me, as a teacher, that I need to put a foot down on rumors and crude jokes.
In case you don't know anything about the book, it is a suspense novel chronicling thirteen events that led up to Hannah Baker's suicide. These events mainly revolve around rumors and incidents that created a false reputation for an innocent girl.
This past year at my high school, it seemed to be all the rage to spread rumors about pregnancy, sex acts, and fights. As this book makes its rounds, I hope that students begin to consider how their words affect others. It also reminded me, as a teacher, that I need to put a foot down on rumors and crude jokes.
Saturday, August 13, 2011
The Catcher in the Rye
I finished The Catcher in the Rye today...for the second time. The first time I read it in high school, and I only remembered bits and pieces of it. This time, I had a much better grasp on the story line...probably due to the fact that I wasn't reading to just find the answers to reading questions.
The first time reading TCITR, I had a bit of a moral crisis because it contained more swear words than I had heard in all of my high school years put together. This time, the swearing did not bother me...it helped me understand the character better. However, I would still feel uncomfortable about having some of my more morally conscientious students read it.
I'd like to write something profound about the novel, but I'm currently at a loss. Evidently, I need to mull it over more.
I do love how Salinger uses details to create humor...and the voice of Holden Caulfield is very memorable...highly believable throughout. His voice reminds me a bit of a 5th grade student who I used to talk to regularly for my counseling internship "and all."
Well, more to come on TCITR or my next book... A slightly sad review today :)
The first time reading TCITR, I had a bit of a moral crisis because it contained more swear words than I had heard in all of my high school years put together. This time, the swearing did not bother me...it helped me understand the character better. However, I would still feel uncomfortable about having some of my more morally conscientious students read it.
I'd like to write something profound about the novel, but I'm currently at a loss. Evidently, I need to mull it over more.
I do love how Salinger uses details to create humor...and the voice of Holden Caulfield is very memorable...highly believable throughout. His voice reminds me a bit of a 5th grade student who I used to talk to regularly for my counseling internship "and all."
Well, more to come on TCITR or my next book... A slightly sad review today :)
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Words
I just finished reading The Way of the Heart by Henri Nouwen in preparation for a stillness retreat that I will be attending at the end of August. This book outlines the difficult practices of solitude, silence, and prayer, but one particular point in the book especially caught my attention:
Henri Nouwen encourages escaping from the wordiness of our world.
Now, as an English teacher and a lover of reading and writing, this was a blow. Written words, in particular, are a passion in my life. Writing creates life in me, and Nouwen is recommending fleeing from the building blocks of my trade?
Furthermore, words help me know people and help them heal...very necessary for the art of counseling, which I am also quite taken by.
At this point in my reasoning, I had the startling discovery: Henri Nouwen was ruining my entire purpose in this world!
If I were a ______________, maybe words wouldn't be important. I'd love to complete that sentence, but I cannot even think of a job in which words are not vitally important!
Before dismissing Nouwen's words (ahem, ahem) outright, I managed to take them to heart and even had a chance to practice them almost immediately. A few days after reading this particularly difficult section in the book, I had made plans to spend some time with a friend. She was going to call me on a certain day to decide on our plans. But she didn't call. I called her. She didn't answer. I left a message. She never called back.
I was irked. I had done nothing all day but wait for her to call me back. What a wasted day.
I knew I would see her on Sunday at church, and as I showered that morning, I practiced my speech to her in order to help her understand how poorly she had treated me and how to be a better friend in the future.
However, as I was formulating my assault, I came back to that section in The Way of the Heart. What if I said nothing about it? What if I forgave her in my heart and let this incident slide? I decided to give it a shot.
Not long after we greeted each other, my friend quickly apologized for not calling me back. She had had a beastly day and didn't want to call for fear of projectively ripping my head off. At this point, I could have given her a lesson on proper friendship etiquette, but I just listened with empathy. Why add a burden to what she was already carrying?
Although I LOVE words - adore them, really - I've determined Henri Nouwen is correct. We have SO many words floating around that they have lost meaning or do more harm than good. I'm committing to avoid using words to add a burden to someone's shoulders or to drone on an on (as I'm apt to do at times).
I will use words sparingly and lovingly to bring life to myself and others.
Henri Nouwen encourages escaping from the wordiness of our world.
Now, as an English teacher and a lover of reading and writing, this was a blow. Written words, in particular, are a passion in my life. Writing creates life in me, and Nouwen is recommending fleeing from the building blocks of my trade?
Furthermore, words help me know people and help them heal...very necessary for the art of counseling, which I am also quite taken by.
At this point in my reasoning, I had the startling discovery: Henri Nouwen was ruining my entire purpose in this world!
If I were a ______________, maybe words wouldn't be important. I'd love to complete that sentence, but I cannot even think of a job in which words are not vitally important!
Before dismissing Nouwen's words (ahem, ahem) outright, I managed to take them to heart and even had a chance to practice them almost immediately. A few days after reading this particularly difficult section in the book, I had made plans to spend some time with a friend. She was going to call me on a certain day to decide on our plans. But she didn't call. I called her. She didn't answer. I left a message. She never called back.
I was irked. I had done nothing all day but wait for her to call me back. What a wasted day.
I knew I would see her on Sunday at church, and as I showered that morning, I practiced my speech to her in order to help her understand how poorly she had treated me and how to be a better friend in the future.
However, as I was formulating my assault, I came back to that section in The Way of the Heart. What if I said nothing about it? What if I forgave her in my heart and let this incident slide? I decided to give it a shot.
Not long after we greeted each other, my friend quickly apologized for not calling me back. She had had a beastly day and didn't want to call for fear of projectively ripping my head off. At this point, I could have given her a lesson on proper friendship etiquette, but I just listened with empathy. Why add a burden to what she was already carrying?
Although I LOVE words - adore them, really - I've determined Henri Nouwen is correct. We have SO many words floating around that they have lost meaning or do more harm than good. I'm committing to avoid using words to add a burden to someone's shoulders or to drone on an on (as I'm apt to do at times).
I will use words sparingly and lovingly to bring life to myself and others.
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